Christmas is in the heart
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2018 16:13:30 +0000
While some people in other places may be conflicted, because of politics and difficult conditions, to say “Merry Christmas” or “Peace on earth and goodwill to all,” we Filipinos have all the more reason than most to celebrate this year the tidings of the Christmas season and give thanks for the many blessings of a good year for our country.
A feeling of thanksgiving grips us first because this year, the United States decided finally to restore the Balangiga bells to our county and to the parish of Balangiga, Samar. That finally happened 107 years after the bells were taken as war booty during the Filipino-American War (1899 to 1902), and after many years of continuous demand for their return.
The spirit of jubilation has also come upon our land because of the great victory of Miss Philippines Catriona Gray in the 2018 Miss Universe beauty pageant in Bangkok, Thailand. She took the coveted crown with such grace and flourish that she literally lifted us off our feet cheering her and our nation’s triumph.
A sense of calm and stability has also settled in our national life, as we have weathered many difficult trials on the peace and security front. The Philippine economy has again performed dynamically and made it the second fastest-growing in all of Asia. Our national government surmounted the removal of a sitting chief justice of the Supreme Court and resolved the differences between the legislative and executive branches on important policy issues.
The message of peace and goodwill gathers an added meaning as the nation now moves confidently forward in bringing to an end the long- festering Communist insurgency and Muslim rebellion, and in redeeming the promise of Mindanao.
The need for goodwill and civility has to be heeded as much as ever, because our people should respect one another as we enter the 2019 midterm elections for a new Congress and all local governments throughout the country.
The recent killings of a congressman in Bicol and of a mayoralty candidate in Mindanao are a stark reminder that, sometimes, electoral politics can bring out primitive passions in our public life.
These concerns notwithstanding, we should not allow dark developments and incidents from destroying the spirit of celebration among us this Christmas.
Christmas is the quintessential holiday for our people. It lifts us all up like no other.
Christmas is a festival of family and home. It is also a festival in the places where we work and the organizations where we fraternize with others.
In this day of days, we take pleasure in saying to all our readers and friends across our land: “Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.”
Let us not be deceived by all the talk elsewhere. “Merry Christmas” is still the best greeting of all, better than “Happy holidays” or “Season’s greetings,” because this is the one that speaks from the heart.
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